Nature!

 

 

 

Laura and the kids came up for a short visit. We decided to head to a local historic area to walk around and see the sights.  The kids were even able to get in some geocaching while we were there.

Animal Kingdom!

Getting ready to check out Animal Kingdom

 

Right when we arrived at Animal Kingdom

This was a great roller coaster---Expedition Everest

going on Safari

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lion King Experience

We all enjoyed Disney's Animal Kingdom.  We rode a roller coaster, played and dug for some fossils in dinosaur land, and watched a Lion King show.  The highlight was going on a Safari!  We saw so many cool animals and got pretty close. It was so much better than going to a zoo.  

Magic!

At the Magic Kingdom

On the teacup ride

actually in motion on the teacups

getting ready for the parade

the parade

 

our first waterpark at Disney...Typhoon Lagoon

 

Adding the waterparks to our package was the BEST choice we made!  It was so hot and it was nice to have a fun place to cool off!  The kids loved the parade at the Magic Kingdom.  That is when we saw the most characters.  

Walt Disney World 2013!

The boys with our hotel in the background.  I took this when we first arrived.

Exploring Downtown Disney on our first day

Our first day at The Magic Kingdom!

 

Charlie's first roller coaster

 

 

 

It was super hot on our first day so we bought this water fan. Charlie loved keeping us all cool.

We spent the last 6 days in Disney World.  We all had a great time and are exhausted from all the walking around and the heat.  The kids loved all the parks but I think the water parks were an even bigger hit.  I will post more pictures and details but for now I have to catch up on laundry and then sleep!

Making a Masterpiece!

 

 

Charlie is definitely the artist in the family.  He had a Michael's gift card to use so he picked out some paints and a wooden crate.  He is making the crate into a "house" for this little dog figurine that he has. I'm sure Charcoal (the dog) will love his new house!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

 

 

 

 

 

On Saturday, we all headed to the Cubs game at Wrigley Field.  This was a first for Sully, Charlie, and I.  The Cubs lost but we enjoyed the day.  We took the train which added to the fun.  Sully loves all sporting events so he was in heaven!

A "Reel" Good Time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last weekend, we went to visit my parents.  After a fabulous home-cooked breakfast, my dad practiced casting with the boys.  He wants to go fishing with them.  He had a hula hoop and some practice rods. The idea is for the kids to try and cast into the hula hoop.  I guess I better learn how to clean and cook some fish!

Math Whiz!

 

 

At Charlie's school book fair this week, there was a jar full of gummy worms.  You had to guess how many were in the jar.  I thought Charlie's guess was a little low (63) and even tried to sway him to change it. I think I guess 100-something. Thank goodness he didn't because he won first place for having the closest guess.  There were actually 63 gummy worms in the jar!  He won all of the gummy worms and a book. We may have a math whiz on our hands!

Hunting for Eggs!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Easter Bunny hid about 150 plastic eggs outside at our house. Olivia was sick, so Matt brought Alex and Pippa. Grammy, Grampy, and Scott joined us for brunch and egg-citement afterwards!  Each of the kids had an assigned egg color and then there were lots of "bonus" eggs for anyone to find.  A few of the eggs were found by little critters (squirrels, skunks, birds...) first!  The boys had a blast and made sure to find all of Olivia's pink eggs as well.  They didn't even try to take her goodies.  The weather was perfect and we enjoyed the time outside visiting and getting some sunshine.  What a great Easter!